Global Rice News

Minister of Agriculture Urges Federal Government to Set Support Price for Cotton in Pakistan

In a recent development, Minister of Agriculture Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Mahar has called on the federal government to establish a support price for cotton in Pakistan. He has proposed a range of Rs10,000 to Rs11,000 per 40kg as the ideal price for cotton farmers in the country.

Cotton farmers in Sindh have been facing numerous challenges as they struggle to cultivate the crop due to inadequate prices. As a result, they are experiencing severe hardships. To address this issue, Minister Mahar emphasized the importance of setting a support price that would motivate and incentivize farmers to increase cotton production.

This year, the target for cotton cultivation has been set at 640,000 hectares, with 20% of cotton sowing already completed in Sindh. However, the rising costs of fertilizers, seeds, petroleum products, and pesticides have significantly increased the financial burden on farmers.

Expressing his concern over the difficulties faced by growers in the previous season, Minister Mahar questioned how they would be able to continue cultivating cotton without a suitable support price. He emphasized that offering competitive prices to farmers is crucial for sustaining the domestic textile industry and ensuring its growth.

Furthermore, Minister Mahar highlighted the potential consequences of water shortages in the Kharif season on agricultural production in Sindh, particularly in cotton and rice. He raised objections to the decision of allocating water to Sindh under the three-tier formula of the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) and advocated for the implementation of the Water Accord 1991, which guarantees every province its rightful share of water.

Minister Mahar criticized IRSA for making arbitrary decisions that he believes are aimed at rendering agricultural land infertile by withholding Sindh’s water share. He warned that the unavailability of water could cause irreparable harm to the production of cotton, rice, sugarcane, and other crops during the Kharif season.

In conclusion, it is crucial for the federal government to address the concerns raised by Minister Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Mahar and take necessary actions to support cotton farmers in Pakistan. By setting an appropriate support price and ensuring sufficient water allocation, the government can help boost cotton production, uplift the agriculture sector, and contribute to the growth of the domestic textile industry.

Source: [The Express Tribune](https://tribune.com.pk){:target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”}